Never-ending-snake by David Thurlo Page A

the waiting area, she poked her head out slowly and carefully. In the seconds it took her to do that, he’dvanished.

SIX

     
     
    Figuring that he must have ducked into the waiting area, she inched down the hall slowly, hugging the wall and ready for an ambush. But how would she recognize the man if he’d taken off the hood? She’d had only one quick look at his face, and he’d been wearing sunglasses. If he was seated among others, he’d have a lethal advantage.
    Suddenly the shrill sound of afire alarm shattered the silence. Ella stopped at the entrance to the small lounge, crouched, and looked around the corner, pistol out. A fire exit she didn’t remember seeing there before was ajar.
    Hurrying out, she saw dozens of people watching two firemen spraying water on the burning car while the rest of the crew worked to hook up a fat hose she thought would probably dispense foam. Withonlookers everywhere, half of them taking photos and video with cell cameras, the suspect had slipped out unnoticed and blended in with the crowd.
    Yet Ella knew that he couldn’t have gone far. She called Justine on the cell phone as she searched up and down the rows of parked cars.
    “Kevin’s secure,” Justine said. “No trouble here.”
    Ella reported her location, then ended the call and continuedto search the area, circling the crowd slowly on foot. After several minutes, she decided to focus on the parked vehicles. Hearing footsteps behind a van one row away, she circled for a better view, and saw a woman helping a man into a wheelchair. Ella continued to the next row and stood up on the back bumper of an old pickup, trying to get a better view.
    Suddenly a car raced up from behind her.Hearing it, Ella jumped off the bumper and turned, her hand on the butt of her pistol. A second later the squad car stopped, and she saw Justine behind the wheel.
    “I’m assuming Kevin’s still under guard?” Ella asked, slipping into the cruiser.
    “Yes. Officer Poyer is there now, along with another one of our people. Marianna Talk was here at the hospital visiting her mother and is now backinghim up.”
    “Good. Circle the lot.”
    “What are we looking for?” Justine asked as she drove up and down the rows of vehicles.
    “The suspect’s wearing sunglasses and a green hooded sweatshirt,” Ella said, giving her highlights.
    “You need to start wearing a vest again, cuz. And maybe a helmet.”
    “No kidding.” Ella reached for her cell phone. “As soon as this is over, I’m going to have Kevin movedto another room.”
    They drove slowly, circling the area where all the outside action was taking place, searching for anyone pulling out or acting suspicious. People crowded in from all sides, hampering the emergency crew’s efforts.
    “I want our crime scene team to work with the fire marshal and check out the incident with the car,” Ella said. “I think it was a diversion meant to draw securityaway from the hospital interior. Vehicles don’t generally blow up by themselves.”
    “Let me call Benny and Joe and have them secure the scene,” Justine said. “The hospital guards are in over their heads.”
    “I’ll make the call. Let’s keep searching for the suspect.” Although she knew the chances of finding him were slim, she wasn’t ready to give up. Ella called her team but kept her gaze focusedon the surrounding area as she spoke.
    As Justine drove around to the outpatient clinic east of the main building, Ella noted a truck ahead waiting to pull out of the parking area onto a side street. The passenger in the cab was wearing what was either a black, or dark green hooded sweatshirt.
    “Pull them over,” Ella snapped. “It’s a long shot, but it’s all we’ve got.”
    “The truck’s got a casinoparking lot sticker,” Justine said, flipping the sirens off and on to flag the driver. As the truck pulled to one side, Justine glanced at Ella, who was reaching for her gun. “You’re wound too tight, partner. Ease